You’ve seen the fanart. You’ve definitely seen the Twitter threads. If you spend any time in the Project Sekai: Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku community, you know that the "ships" within Vivid BAD SQUAD aren't just popular—they’re practically the bedrock of the game's social media presence. But lately, there’s been a massive shift. People aren't just arguing about Akito vs. Toya or Kohane vs. An anymore. Instead, a huge chunk of the player base has collectively decided that the only real answer is all of them. Together. At once. That’s the core of the Poly Vivid BAD SQUAD movement, and honestly, it’s one of the most fascinating examples of how a rhythm game's story can take on a life of its own through the lens of its fans.
Project Sekai is a massive game. Millions of players tap away at notes every day. But for the writers at Colorful Palette and SEGA, the challenge was always how to make a four-person group feel like a cohesive unit when the fans are so prone to picking favorites. Vivid BAD SQUAD, the street-music-focused group based out of Vivid Street, had a unique hurdle. They started as two separate duos: Vivids (An and Kohane) and BAD DOGS (Akito and Toya). Because of that origin, the fandom was split down the middle for years. You were either a Vivids shipper or a BAD DOGS shipper. But the game’s actual story events started blurring those lines so heavily that the "poly" headcanon became almost inevitable.
The Chemistry That Fuelled the Fire
It wasn't just a random whim. If you look at the event stories—especially ones like Stray Bad Dog or The Vivid Old Tale—the level of mutual respect and emotional dependency between these four is off the charts. It's not just "we are teammates." It’s "I literally cannot achieve my dream of surpassing RAD WEEKEND without you three specifically." This isn't just a business arrangement.
Think about the dynamic between Akito and Kohane. Initially, Akito was, well, kind of a jerk to her. He didn't think she had the "grit" for the street scene. Watching that evolve into a genuine, protective mentorship where he acknowledges her raw talent is the kind of character growth that makes people want to see them in a closer relationship. Then you have An and Toya. They share this weirdly specific burden of living in the shadows of their legendary fathers. When they talk, there's a level of understanding there that even their original partners can't quite touch. When you stack all those individual connections on top of the established duos, you get a square of emotional support that’s hard to ignore.
Why "Poly" is Winning Over Traditional Ships
Honestly, the traditional shipping war is exhausting. Who has the energy for that in 2026? The Poly Vivid BAD SQUAD approach basically solves the "war" by saying "everyone wins." But it's more than just a peace treaty. It reflects a growing trend in modern fandom where complex, multi-person relationships are seen as more representative of the deep bonds characters form in high-stakes environments.
In the world of Vivid Street, these four are fighting a metaphorical war to reach the top of the music world. That kind of pressure creates bonds that are messy and multifaceted. When you see Kohane blushing at An’s praise, but then see Toya looking at Akito with that soft, "you're my hero" expression, the fan brain just goes: Why choose? - The Power of Four: Most groups in Project Sekai have a leader. Vivid BAD SQUAD feels like a democracy of four equals.
- Narrative Symmetry: Two boys, two girls, all sharing the same goal. It’s aesthetically pleasing for fan artists.
- Subverting Tropes: It moves away from the "jealousy" trope that plagues a lot of anime-style writing.
The Impact on the Project Sekai Community
You can't talk about Poly Vivid BAD SQUAD without talking about the creative output it has sparked. Go to any fan convention or look through AO3. The sheer volume of content—zines, charms, long-form fiction—dedicated to this specific four-way dynamic is staggering. It has changed how people interpret the game’s lyrics too. Songs like "Ready Steady" or "Beat Eater" are often re-analyzed by the poly-shipping community as being about the collective hunger and passion of the group as a whole, rather than just two sets of partners.
Critics might say, "But it’s not canon!" And sure, technically, SEGA is never going to explicitly confirm a four-way relationship in a game that needs to remain broadly marketable. But the beauty of Project Sekai is its "Virtual Live" feature. When you watch the characters interact on stage, the chemistry is programmed into their animations. The way they glance at each other, the way they high-five—it provides enough "fuel" for fans to build their own narratives. The game gives you the ingredients; the fans are just making a very elaborate cake.
A New Era of Fandom Interpretation
We are seeing a shift in how players interact with Gacha games. It’s no longer just about the "waifu" or "husbando" culture of the early 2010s. It’s about the "found family" that turns into something more. Poly Vivid BAD SQUAD is the poster child for this. It represents a desire for stories where no one is left out and where love is an additive force rather than a zero-sum game.
💡 You might also like: Why Smash Bros Princess Peach Is Still the Queen of Technical Play
It also helps that the voice actors seem to genuinely love the group dynamic. During various "Project Sekai Colorful Radio" broadcasts, the VAs for Akito (Fumiya Imai), Toya (Kento Ito), An (Jena Tomita), and Kohane (Akina) have such a natural rapport that it’s easy for fans to project that onto the characters. When the people voicing the characters feel like a tight-knit unit, the fans are going to follow suit.
Understanding the "Vivid Street" Culture
To really get why Poly Vivid BAD SQUAD works, you have to understand the setting. Vivid Street isn't a suburban school. It’s a gritty, neon-soaked environment where your reputation is everything. In that world, your "crew" is your family. The lines between platonic and romantic often get blurred when you're spending every waking hour practicing in a back alley or a local cafe like Weekend Garage.
The fans who support this ship argue that the "Street" lifestyle doesn't leave much room for traditional dating. It’s all-encompassing. If you’re in, you’re in with everyone. This "ride or die" mentality is the perfect breeding ground for polyamorous interpretations. It’s not about casual dating; it’s about a lifelong commitment to three other people who share your singular, impossible dream.
How to Engage with the Trend
If you're new to the concept of Poly Vivid BAD SQUAD, the best way to dive in isn't just by looking at art. It’s by reading the "Side Stories" on the 3-star and 4-star cards. That’s where the real "meat" of the character interactions lives. You’ll find small moments—like Akito worrying about Kohane’s health or Toya and An sharing a quiet moment over coffee—that the main story often skips over.
- Search for "Vivid Bad Squad Poly" on social platforms: Use specific tags to find creators who focus on the group dynamic.
- Pay attention to the 3D MVs: Watch the interactions between characters who aren't "official" partners.
- Read the event "The Power of Unity": It’s a crucial turning point for the group's internal bond.
The reality is that Poly Vivid BAD SQUAD isn't going anywhere. As long as Project Sekai continues to release stories that emphasize the "four as one" mentality, the fans will continue to see them as a package deal. It’s a testament to the strength of the character writing that people can imagine such a complex web of relationships and find it not only believable but preferred. Whether you see them as a literal polycule or just the world's most intense group of best friends, the impact they've had on the gaming landscape is undeniable. They've moved past being just "street musicians"—they’ve become a symbol of what happens when four different lives collide and refuse to pull apart.
To stay ahead of the curve in the fandom, start looking at the group's "Unit Story" again from the beginning. You'll notice small details in the early chapters that foreshadow the absolute devotion they have for one another. Then, check out the community-run wikis and translation projects that archive limited-time event dialogue—often, these small interactions are the "smoking gun" for fans. Moving forward, keep an eye on the upcoming anniversary events, as these usually feature the most significant group-wide character development.